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Sexually Transmitted Infections

Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, Gonorrhoea, Pubic Lice, Scabies, Syphilis, Tricomoniasis

General Information

What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are spread by sexual contact. STIs can cause severe damage to your body—even death. Except for colds and flu, STIs are the most common contagious (easily spread) infections in the United States, with millions of new cases each year. Although some STIs can be treated and cured, others cannot.

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How are STIs transmitted?

A person with an STI can pass it to others by contact with skin, genitals, mouth, rectum, or body fluids. Anyone who has sexual contact—vaginal, anal, or oral sex—with another person may get an STI. STIs may not cause symptoms. Even if there are no symptoms, your health can be affected.

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What causes STIs?

STIs are caused by bacterial or viral infections. STIs caused by bacteria are treated with antibiotics. Those caused by viruses cannot be cured, but symptoms can be treated.

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What are the risk factors for STIs?

The following factors increase the risk of getting STIs:

  • More than one sexual partner

  • A partner who has or has had more than one sexual partner

  • Sex with someone who has an STI

  • History of STIs

  • Use of intravenous drugs (injected into a vein) or partner use of intravenous drugs

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What are some of the most common STIs?

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How can I reduce the risk of getting an STI?

There are many ways you can reduce your risk of getting an STI:

  • Know your sexual partners and limit their number—Your partner’s sexual history is as important as your own. The more partners you or your partners have, the higher your risk of getting an STI.

  • Use a latex condom—Using a latex condom every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex decreases the chances of infection. Condoms lubricated with spermicides do not offer extra protection. Frequent use of some spermicides can increase the risk of HIV.

  • Avoid risky sex practices—Sexual acts that tear or break the skin carry a higher risk of STIs. Even small cuts that do not bleed let germs pass back and forth. Anal sex poses a high risk because tissues in the rectum tear easily. Body fluids also can carry STIs. Having any unprotected sexual contact with an infected person poses a high risk of getting an STI.

Get immunized—Vaccinations are available that will help prevent hepatitis B and some types of HPV (see FAQ191 Human Papillomavirus [HPV] Vaccination and FAQ125 Protecting Yourself Against Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C).

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If you're worried you have got an STI, go for a check-up at a sexual health clinic as soon as you can.

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STI symptoms:

  • unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus

  • pain when peeing

  • lumps or skin growths around the genitals or anus

  • a rash

  • unusual vaginal bleeding

  • itchy genitals or anus

  • blisters and sores around the genitals or anus

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A doctor or nurse:

  • will ask you some questions about your sex life and about the symptoms you have, including amount of sex partners and what kind of sexual practices you have done.

  • may ask to take a look at your genitals or anus

  • will tell you what tests they think you need

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The test itself will be either an urinetest, salivatest or (rarely) a bloodtest.

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If tests show you have an STI, you should tell your sexual partner and any ex-partners so they can get tested and treated as well. If you don't want to do this, the clinic can usually do it for you without naming you.

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How soon do STI symptoms appear?

It depends on which sexually transmitted infection (STI) you have.

Symptoms can develop within a few days or weeks, but sometimes they do not appear until months or even years later.

Often there are few or no symptoms and you may not know you have an STI.

Chlamydia

Symptoms usually appear after 1 to 3 weeks but can start much later.

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Symptoms include:

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About 50% of men and 70% of women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

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If you have tested positive for an STI, it is essential to notify your ex-partners. It is possible to choose to contact your sexual partners anonymously too. Your GP or doctor at the Stadskliniek will provide you with a code that you can use to log into a website which will allow you to tell your partners.

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Getting tested:

In The Hague, you can get a free and anonymous STI test at the Centrum Seksuele Gezondheid (center for sexual health). You can also contact them for information on contraceptions and pregnancy tests. 

 

Genital Herpes

Symptoms can appear after 4 to 7 days but might not start until months or years later. Symptoms include:

  • small, painful blisters around the genitals

  • pain when peeing

  • a tingling or itching around the genitals

Most people do not have any symptoms when first infected.

Genital Warts

If genital warts appear, symptoms could start from 3 weeks to many months or even years after contact with the virus that causes them. Symptoms include:

  • small, fleshy growths or bumps on the genitals or around the anus – these are usually painless, but may be itchy

Most people with the virus that causes genital warts do not develop obvious warts.

Gonorrhoea

Symptoms usually appear within 2 weeks of being infected but could start much later. They include:

  • green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis

  • pain when peeing

About 10% of men and 50% of women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

Pubic Lice

It can take several weeks before any symptoms of pubic lice appear. Symptoms are the same for men and women, and include:

  • itching in the affected areas, especially at night

  • inflammation and irritation caused by scratching

  • black powder in your underwear

  • blue spots or small spots of blood on your skin, such as on your thighs or lower tummy (caused by lice bites)

Scabies

Symptoms of scabies can take up to 6 weeks to appear if you have never had them before. It may only take up to 4 days if you have had scabies before. Symptoms include:

  • itching around the genitals (usually worse at night)

  • a spotty red rash

Syphilis

Symptoms usually appear after 2 to 3 weeks but could start earlier or much later. They include:

  • one or more small painless sores or ulcers on the genitals

  • a blotchy rash and flu-like symptoms that may follow a few weeks later

Symptoms are often not obvious and may come and go.

Tricomoniasis

Symptoms usually appear within 4 weeks but could start months later. They include:

  • discharge from the vagina or penis

  • pain when peeing

  • itchiness or discomfort around the opening of the vagina

About 50% of men and women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

HIV

The first symptoms may appear after 2 to 6 weeks. They can include:

  • flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature (fever), sore throat, headaches, and achy muscles or joints

  • a red rash on the body

Not everyone gets these symptoms, but in people who do they usually last 1 to 2 weeks.

After the symptoms disappear, you may not have any further symptoms for many years, even though the infection remains in your body.

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